System and method for storing and retrieving a field of a user defined type outside of a database store in which the type is defined

ABSTRACT

A type of an object that can be persisted in a database store is defined by a user. The type definition comprises fields and behaviors, each field having a respective data type. One or more fields of the type definition may be designated as containing data of a type that is to be stored as a file outside of the database store and separately from the other fields of the type definition. When a request is received to store an object that is an instance of the user defined type, the data in any so designated field of the object is stored in a file outside of the database store, preferably within a file system of the computer on which the database store is implemented. The data in each of the other fields of the object is stored within the database store in the usual manner. The database store maintains a link, or reference, between the persisted object and the data of the field that is stored as a file outside of the database store. Applications are provided “out of band” access, via the file system of the computer, to the file in which the data of given field is stored outside the database store.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND PERMISSION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice shall apply to this document:Copyright © 2003, Microsoft Corp.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to data storage in a computer system, andmore particularly, to systems and methods for storing and retrieving afield of a user defined type outside of the database store in which thetype is defined.

BACKGROUND

Microsoft SQL SERVER is a comprehensive database management platformthat provides extensive management and development tools, a powerfulextraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) tool, businessintelligence and analysis services, and other capabilities. Twoimprovements to SQL SERVER have recently been implemented. First, theMicrosoft Windows .NET Framework Common Language Runtime (CLR) has beenintegrated into the SQL SERVER database, and second, a new object,referred to as a User Defined Type (UDT), can now be created withmanaged code in the CLR environment and persisted in the database store.

The CLR is the heart of the Microsoft .NET Framework, and provides theexecution environment for all .NET code. Thus, code that runs within theCLR is referred to as “managed code.” The CLR provides various functionsand services required for program execution, including just-in-time(JIT) compilation, allocating and managing memory, enforcing typesafety, exception handling, thread management and security. The CLR isnow loaded by SQL SERVER upon the first invocation of a .NET routine.

In previous versions of SQL SERVER, database programmers were limited tousing Transact-SQL when writing code on the server side. Transact-SQL isan extension of the Structured Query Language as defined by theInternational Standards Organization (ISO) and the American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI). Using Transact-SQL, database developers cancreate, modify and delete databases and tables, as well as insert,retrieve, modify and delete data stored in a database. Transact-SQL isspecifically designed for direct structural data access andmanipulation. While Transact-SQL excels at data access and management,it is not a full-fledged programming language in the way that VisualBasic .NET and C# are. For example, Transact-SQL does not supportarrays, collections, for each loops, bit shifting or classes.

With the CLR integrated into the SQL SERVER database, databasedevelopers can now perform tasks that were impossible or difficult toachieve with Transact-SQL alone. Both Visual Basic .NET and C# are modemprogramming languages offering full support for arrays, structuredexception handling, and collections. Developers can leverage CLRintegration to write code that has more complex logic and is more suitedfor computation tasks using languages such as Visual Basic .NET and C#.

In addition to CLR integration, SQL SERVER also adds support for UserDefined Types (UDT)—a new mechanism that enables a developer to extendthe scalar type system of the database. UDTs provide two key benefitsfrom an application architecture perspective: they provide strongencapsulation (both in the client and the server) between the internalstate and the external behaviors, and they provide deep integration withother related server features. Once a UDT is defined, it can be used inall the contexts that a system type can be used in SQL SERVER, includingin column definitions, variables, parameters, function results, cursors,triggers, and replication.

The process of defining a UDT on a database server is accomplished asfollows:

-   -   a) create a class in managed code that follows the rules for UDT        creation;    -   b) load the Assembly that contains the UDT into a database on        the server using the CREATE ASSEMBLY statement; and    -   c) create a type in the database using the CREATE TYPE statement        that exposes the managed code UDT.        At this point, the UDT can be used in a table definition.

When a UDT definition is created in managed code, the type must meet thefollowing requirements:

-   -   a) it must be marked as Serializable;    -   b) it must be decorated with the SqlUserDefinedTypeAttribute;    -   c) the type should be NULL aware by implementing the INullable        interface;    -   d) the type must have a public constructor that takes no        arguments; and    -   e) the type should support conversion to and from a string by        implementing the following methods:        -   1. Public String ToString( ); and        -   2. Public Shared <type> Parse (SqlString s).

Co-pending, commonly assigned, patent application Ser. No. 10/692,225,filed herewith, entitled “System And Method For Object Persistence In ADatabase Store”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, describes another feature of UDTs in which the fields andbehaviors of a CLR class definition for a UDT are annotated with storageattributes that describe a layout structure for instances of the UDT inthe database store. Specifically, each field of a CLR class that definesa UDT is annotated with a storage attribute that controls the storagefacets of the type, such as size, precision, scale, etc. In oneembodiment, this is achieved by annotating each field with a customstorage attribute named SqlUdtField( ). This attribute annotates fieldswith additional storage directives. These directives are enforced whenthe object is serialized to disk. In addition, every managed behavior(e.g., a method that can be invoked on the UDT object, for example, toreturn the value of a field) defined in the CLR class is annotated withan attribute that denotes an equivalent structural access path for thatmanaged behavior. In one embodiment, the custom attribute used for thispurpose is named SqlUdtProperty( ), and the database server (e.g., SQLSERVER) assumes that the implementation of properties annotated withthis custom attribute will delegate to a field specified as part of theattribute definition. This lets the server optimize access to theproperty structurally without creating an instance and invoking thebehavior on it.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary code listing of a CLR class that defines a UDT.As shown, the CLR class has been annotated with the SqlUdtField( ) andSqlUdtProperty( ) custom attributes as described above. Specifically,the SqlUdtField( ) custom attribute has been added at lines 5, 8, 37,and 49 to annotate the respective fields of the exemplary UDT classdefinition. The SqlUdtProperty( ) custom attribute has been added atlines 11 and 24 to annotate the respective managed behaviors of theclass.

The CLR class that defines the UDT is then compiled into a dynamic linklibrary (dll). An Assembly containing the compiled class may then becreated using the following T-SQL script commands:

-   -   create assembly test    -   from ‘c:\test.dll’    -   go

The following T-SQL script commands may then be used to create the UDTon the server:

-   -   create type BaseItem    -   external name [test]:[BaseItem]    -   go

Once the UDT has been created on the server, a table (e.g., “MyTable”)can be created defining an attribute of the table as the UDT type, asfollows:

-   -   create table MyTable    -   (        -   Item BaseItem,        -   ItemId as Item::ID    -   )    -   go

A new item can be added to the table, as follows:

-   -   declare @i BaseItem    -   set @i=convert(BaseItem,”)    -   insert into MyTable values (@i)    -   go

The UDT expression can then be used in a query such as: SELECT Item.ID,Item.Name FROM MyTable.

With the integration of the CLR into SQL SERVER and the ability todefine UDTs from a class definition in managed code, applications cannow instantiate objects of the type defined by the managed code classand have those objects persisted in the relational database store as aUDT. Moreover, the class that defines the UDT can also include methodsthat implement specific behaviors on objects of that type. Anapplication can therefore instantiate objects of a type defined as a UDTand can invoke managed behaviors over them.

When an object of a class that has been defined as a UDT is instantiatedin the CLR, the object can be persisted in the database store throughthe process of object serialization, wherein the values of the variablesof the class are transferred to physical storage (e.g., hard disk). FIG.2 illustrates the serialization of an object in memory to its persistedform on disk. The object may be persisted in the database store in atraditional relational database table of the format illustrated in FIG.3. As shown, the table comprises a column of the specified UDT. Theserialized values of a persisted object of the specified UDT occupy acell of the UDT column.

Referring again to FIG. 2, when an application generates a query thatincludes a predicate or an expression that references a managed behaviorof a UDT object that has been persisted in the database store (e.g., abehavior that returns the value of a field of the UDT object), thepersisted object must be de-serialized (sometimes also referred to as“hydrating”) and the CLR must allocate memory for the full object inorder to receive its stored values. The CLR must then invoke the actualmethod (i.e., behavior) of the UDT class that returns the value(s) thatis the subject of the query. As described in the aforementionedco-pending application Ser. No. 10/692,225, the SqlUdtField( ) andSqlUdtProperty( ) annotations in the CLR class definition of a UDT canbe used by the database server to also allow direct structural access tothe values of certain UDT fields without the need for object hydration.

One new technology that takes advantage of the CLR integration and theprovision of UDTs in SQL SERVER is the storage platform described inco-pending, commonly assigned, patent application Ser. No. 10/646,646,filed Aug. 21, 2003, entitled “Storage Platform For Organizing,Searching, And Sharing Data,” the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. FIG. 4 is a block diagramillustrating the architecture of the storage platform 300 described inthis co-pending application. The storage platform is sometimes referredto as “WinFS.” As shown in FIG. 4, the storage platform 300 comprises adata store 302 implemented on a database engine 314. In one embodiment,the database engine comprises a relational database engine, such as theMicrosoft SQL SERVER relational database engine.

The data store 302 implements a data model 304 that supports theorganization, searching, sharing, synchronization, and security of datain the form of Items and relationships between items, as described morefully below. Specific types of Items are described in schemas, such asschemas 340, and the storage platform 300 provides tools 346 fordeploying those schemas as well as for extending those schemas, asdescribed more fully below.

A change tracking mechanism 306 implemented within the data store 302provides the ability to track changes to the data store. The data store302 also provides security capabilities 308 and a promotion/demotioncapability 310. The data store 302 also provides a set of applicationprogramming interfaces 312 to expose the capabilities of the data store302 to other storage platform components and application programs (e.g.,application programs 350 a, 350 b, and 350 c) that utilize the storageplatform.

The storage platform still further comprises an application programminginterface (API) 322, which enables application programs, such asapplication programs 350 a, 350 b, and 350 c, to access the capabilitiesof the storage platform and to access the data stored in the database.The storage platform API 322 may be used by application programs incombination with other APIs, such as the OLE DB API 324 and theMicrosoft WINDOWS Win32 API 326.

The storage platform 300 may also provide a variety of services 328 toapplication programs, including a synchronization service 330 thatfacilitates the sharing of data among users or systems. For example, thesynchronization service 330 may enable interoperability with other datastores 340 having the same format as data store 302, as well as accessto data stores 342 having other formats. The storage platform 300 alsoprovides file system capabilities that allow interoperability of thedata store 302 with existing file systems, such as the WINDOWS NTFSfiles system 318.

In at least some embodiments, the storage platform 320 may also provideapplication programs with additional capabilities for enabling data tobe acted upon and for enabling interaction with other systems. Thesecapabilities may be embodied in the form of additional services 328,such as an Info Agent service 334 and a notification service 332, aswell as in the form of other utilities 336.

In at least some embodiments, the storage platform is embodied in, orforms an integral part of, the hardware/software interface system of acomputer system. For example, and without limitation, the storageplatform of the present invention may be embodied in, or form anintegral part of, an operating system, a virtual machine manager (VMM),a Common Language Runtime (CLR) or its functional equivalent, or a JavaVirtual Machine (JVM) or its functional equivalent.

Through its common storage foundation, and schematized data, the storageplatform enables more efficient application development for consumers,knowledge workers and enterprises. It offers a rich and extensibleprogramming surface area that not only makes available the capabilitiesinherent in its data model, but also embraces and extends existing filesystem and database access methods.

In the following description, and in various ones of the figures, thestorage platform 300 of the present invention may be referred to as“WinFS.” However, use of this name to refer to the storage platform issolely for convenience of description and is not intended to be limitingin any way.

The data model of the WinFS platform defines units of data storage interms of Items, Item extensions, and Relationships. An “Item” is thefundamental unit of storage information. The data model provides amechanism for declaring Items and Item extensions and for establishingrelationships between Items. Items are the units that can be stored andretrieved using operations such as copy, delete, move, open, and soforth. Items are intended to represent real-world andreadily-understandable units of data like Contacts, People, Services,Locations, Documents (of all various sorts), and so on. Item extensionsare a way to extend the definition of an existing Item, andRelationships are a defined link between Items.

In WinFS, different Item types are defined for storing information. Forexample, Item types are defined for Contacts, People, Locations,Documents, etc. Each Item type is described by a schema that defines theproperties and characteristics of a given Item. For example, a“Location” Item may be defined as having properties such as EAddresses,MetropolitanRegion, Neighborhood, and PostalAddresses. Once a schema isdefined for a given Item type, deployment tools are used to translatethe schema into a corresponding CLR class definition for that Item type,and then a UDT is created in the database store from the CLR classdefinition (in the manner described above) in order for instances of theWinFS Item type to be persisted in the database store. Using the WinFSAPI 322, applications (e.g., applications 350 a, 350 b, 350 c, etc.) cancreate instances of the Item types supported by the data store in orderto store and retrieve information from the storage platform data store.Each instance of an Item type stored in the data store has a uniqueidentifier (e.g., Item_ID) associated with it; in one embodiment, eachitem identifier is a globally unique identifier, i.e. “guid.” Thus, theWinFS platform leverages the CLR integration and UDT capabilities of thedatabase store to provide a platform for storing Items of information.

As with any instance of a UDT in SQL SERVER, instances of WinFS Itemsare ultimately stored in tables of the database store in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 3. Applications can then submit queries to the WinFSplatform to search for and retrieve Items from the data store thatsatisfy the search criteria. FIG. 5 illustrates how a query is executedagainst the data store to retrieve instances of an Item type called“Person.” In step (1), an application uses a “FindAll” method of theWinFS API 322 to initiate a query for all Items that satisfy aparticular search criteria—in this case, all instances of the Persontype in which the value in a “Birthday” field of the type is greaterthan a particular date (e.g., Dec. 31, 1999). At step (2), the WinFS API322 translates the “FindALL” operation into a SQL query and submits itto the underlying database engine, e.g., SQL SERVER. In step (3), thedatabase engine executes the query against the corresponding instancesof the Person UDT and returns the stored values for each matchinginstance of the Person UDT. In this example, at step (4), ADO.Net turnsthe bits returned from the database store into CLR objects (i.e., theprocess of object hydration discussed above) and returns them to theWinFS API 322. ADO.Net is a component of the Microsoft .NET Frameworkthat provides managed code access via the CLR to data sources such asSQL SERVER. The WinFS API then wraps the Person UDT objects and returnsthem to the application as Items of the Person type.

While the ability to create user defined types (UDTs) in a databasestore is a powerful capability, it would be desirable to enhance thatcapability to provide support for storing certain data types, such aslarge data types including, for example, digital images, video, audio,etc., as defined fields of a UDT. Furthermore, it would be desirable toprovide “out of band” access to the large data fields of a UDT so thatthey could be accessed via traditional file system calls (open, close,etc.) without using the underlying query language of the database store.It would be particularly desirable for these capabilities to be providedin the context of the WinFS storage platform described above.Heretofore, these capabilities have not existed.

While the Microsoft SQL SERVER product provides the ability to designatean entire column of a relational database table as a type referred to asFILESTREAM, such that the data in the cells of that column is stored ina separate file from the relational database table, there is no abilityto designate individual fields of a user defined type to be stored inthat manner.

IBM's DB2 database product has a “datalinks” feature that supports theability to link a column in a table to a file in a file system bystoring a reference to the file. However, it provides only an N to 1reference model between the cells of the column and the reference file,whereas a need exists for a 1-1 model between a cell and a file, asdescribed above. The “datalinks” feature is also disadvantageous for thefollowing additional reasons: (i) the programming model does not allowuniform storage and query of the separate file along with the regularrelational data inside a user defined type, and (ii) the “datalinks”feature of DB2 does not allows updating of the column data stored in thereferenced file via the file system.

Oracle Corporation's “IFS” product uses middle-tier software to provideaccess to data over a number of protocols such as SMB, HTTP, FTP, SMTPetc. The data is ultimately stored in a database. Although Oracle IFSprovides an “integrated” view of different kinds of data, includinglarge data types, the solution is implemented in middle-tier software,as opposed to in a relational database engine, and it does not satisfythe needs discussed above.

Finally, ISO/IEC 9075-9:2003 (aka SQL 2003 MED) proposes “datalinks” asa new data type. According to the proposed standard, a datalink is avalue of the DATALINK data type. A datalink references some file that isnot part of the SQL-environment. The file is assumed to be managed bysome external file manager. A datalink is conceptually represented by acharacter string forming a reference to an external file; the referenceis accessible by invoking operators defined in this section of ISO/IEC9075. The character set of the reference, referred to as the datalinkcharacter set, is implementation-defined. This proposed standard doesnot address the desirable features discussed above.

Thus, a need still exists for a system and method that provides supportfor storing certain data types, such as large data types including, forexample, digital images, video, audio, etc., as defined fields of a userdefined type (UDT), as well as providing “out of band” access to thoselarge data types via traditional file system calls (open, close, etc.).The present invention satisfies these needs.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a system and method for storingcertain data types, such as large data types, including, for example,images, video, audio, etc., as a field of a user defined type in adatabase store. According to the invention, a type of an object that canbe persisted in the database store is defined by a user. The typedefinition comprises fields and behaviors, each field having arespective data type. One or more fields of the type definition may bedesignated as containing data of a type that is to be stored as a fileoutside of the database store and separately from the other fields ofthe type definition. When a request is received to store an object thatis an instance of the user defined type, the data in any so designatedfield of the object is stored in a file outside of the database store,preferably within a file system of the computer on which the databasestore is implemented. The data in each of the other fields of the objectis stored within the database store in the usual manner. The databasestore maintains a link, or reference, between the persisted object andthe data of the field that is stored as a file outside of the databasestore.

According to another aspect of the invention, applications are providedaccess, via the file system of the computer, to the file in which thedata of a given field is stored outside the database store. Morespecifically, an application may generate a call, via an applicationprogramming interface to the file system of the computer, to open thefile, wherein the call identifies the field of the object by itsidentity within the database store. Based on the identity of the fieldof the object within the database store, a file system path to the filecontaining the data of that field is determined. The call to open thefile is then executed using the determined path.

Thus, the present invention enables a field of a user defined type of anobject that can be persisted in a database store to be designated forstorage outside of the database store, i.e., as a file within the filesystem of the computer on which the database store is implemented.Moreover, access to the file containing the data of that field of theuser defined type is provided via the file system of the computer.

Other features and advantages of the invention may become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the invention and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, thereis shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments of various aspects of theinvention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methodsand instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary code segment illustrating a managed code classdefinition for a user defined type;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the serialization anddeserialization of an instance of a type that has been instantiated inmanaged code;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a database table in which an object ofa User Defined Type has been persisted;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary storage platformwhich may take advantage of the features of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process for executing a query againstpersisted objects of a user defined type in the context of the storageplatform illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary, partial code segment illustrating a managed codeclass definition for a user defined type called “Person”;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the system and methodof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a system and method of “out ofband” access to a file containing data of a field of an instance of auser defined type, in accordance with an embodiment of another aspect ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing an exemplary network environmenthaving a variety of computing devices in which the present invention maybe implemented; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing an exemplary computing device inwhich the present invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described withspecificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the descriptionitself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, theinventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might alsobe embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elementssimilar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction withother present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step”may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, theterm should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among orbetween various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the orderof individual steps is explicitly described.

As stated above, the present invention is directed to a method forstoring certain data types, such as large data types including, forexample, digital images, video, audio, etc., as a field of a userdefined type in a database store. According to the invention, a type ofan object that can be persisted in the database store is defined by auser. The type definition comprises fields and behaviors, each fieldhaving a respective data type. One or more fields of the type definitionmay be designated as containing data of a type that is to be stored as afile outside of the database store and separately from the other fieldsof the type definition. When a request is received to store an objectthat is an instance of the user defined type, the data in any sodesignated field of the object is stored in a file outside of thedatabase store, preferably within a file system of the computer on whichthe database store is implemented. The data in each of the other fieldsof the object is stored within the database store in the usual manner.The database store maintains a link, or reference, between the persistedobject and the data of the field that is stored as a file outside of thedatabase store.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary, partial code listing of a definition of a userdefined type, illustrating the designation of a field of the type as afield that is to be stored outside of the database store when aninstance of the type is persisted in the store, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a CLR class for auser defined type called “Person” is shown; the syntax is that used bythe SQL SERVER database engine, as described above in the background ofthe invention. However, it is understood that the present invention isby no means limited to use with the SQL SERVER database engine, butrather, can be employed in the context of any database management systemthat supports user defined types.

The CLR class shown in FIG. 6 defines two fields for the Person type,one called “FirstName,” which is defined as having data type SqlString,and one called “PhotoFS,” which is defined as having data type SqlBytes.It is understood that a complete CLR class definition for a user-definedtype in SQL SERVER would have additional fields and methods, inaccordance with the requirements discussed above in the Backgroundsection (and as illustrated in the exemplary code listing of FIG. 1).The PhotoFS data field might hold, for example, image data comprising aphotograph of the Person that an instance of this type might represent.Such data is an example of the kind of large data type to which thepresent invention can be advantageously applied.

According to the invention, in this example, the PhotoFS field of thePerson type is designated as a field that is to be stored outside of thedatabase store when an instance of the type is persisted in the store.Specifically, in the present embodiment, this is accomplished byannotating the field of the CLR class definition of the UDT with acustom attribute that provides the designation. In particular, a newproperty of the SqlUdtField( ) custom attribute described above in theBackground of the invention has been created. The new property is called“IsFilestream.” A value of “true” for that property (e.g.,IsFilestream=true) indicates that this field of the Person type shall bestored as a file outside of the database store in accordance with thepresent invention. It is understood, however, that the particular mannerin which a field is so designated is not limited to this exemplarymechanism. Rather, any form of annotation to the definition of a userdefined type that can be recognized by the underlying database systemcan be employed. The annotations to the fields of a user defined type,including the IsFilestream property of the SqlUDTField( ) customattribute, define a set of metadata associated with the defined type.

In the present embodiment, the IsFilestream property may only be appliedto fields of type SqlBytes. In other embodiments, however, the propertymay be applied to fields of other data types, as desired.

Further according to the present invention, when the CLR class for a UDTis compiled and then registered with the database server, for example,using the T-SQL script command CREATE TABLE as described above, thedatabase engine stores the metadata derived from the annotations to thetype definition in a system catalog in order to maintain awareness ofthe structural layout of the fields of instances of the UDT within thedatabase store. In particular, this metadata will reflect any field thathas been annotated with the IsFilestream=true property.

Referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary row 600 of a table within the databasestore is shown. This table may be used, for example, to store instancesof the Person UDT defined by the CLR class illustrated in FIG. 6. Thetable comprises a column 604 containing a unique identifier for theparticular row within the table (i.e., “row_guid”), a column 605containing an identifier associated with the instance of a UDT (e.g.,the Item_ID associated with an instance of a WinFS Item type), and acolumn 602 that contains the actual serialized values of the fields ofthe instance of the UDT. In addition to other columns, the table maycontain a column 606 defined to hold traditional SQL SERVER FILESTREAMdata.

The serialized data (i.e., the values of the fields) of the instance ofthe UDT that occupies the UDT column 602 of this row of the table isarranged in a series of fragments 608. In the present embodiment, thelayout of these fragments is controlled by the SqlUdtField( ) andSqlUdtProperty( ) attributes with which the fields and behaviors of theUDT were annotated as described above.

In the present embodiment, each field of the UDT that was designated asone that should be stored separately from the rest of the serializeddata of the UDT outside of the database store is allocated a separatefragment within the stored layout of the UDT. For example, if two fieldsof the UDT were so designated, those fields may be allocated asfragments 612 and 614, respectively. Additionally, in the presentembodiment, those fragments are each assigned a unique identifier, e.g.,fragment IDs 610. For example, the fragment 612 may be assigned afragment ID of “xx,” whereas the fragment 614 may be assigned a fragmentID of “yy.” For purposes of convenience of discussion only, a field of aUDT that has been designated as one to be stored separately from theother fields of the UDT as a file outside of the database store inaccordance with the present invention shall be hereinafter referred toas a “Filestream field” of the UDT. Such reference is not intended to belimiting in any way.

Further according to the present invention, instead of storing the dataof each of those fields of the instance of the UDT in the allocatedfragments within the table of the database store, the data of such afield is stored outside of the database store in a file within the filesystem of the computer on which the database store is implemented. Inthe present embodiment, the fragment stores only a reference to thefile, which reference defines a link to the file. For example, the datafor the field that is allocated fragment 612 is stored instead in a file616. The fragment contains a reference to the location of the file 616within the file system, as indicated by the arrow 620. Similarly, thedata for the field that is allocated fragment 614 is stored instead in afile 618. Again, the fragment 614 contains a reference to the file, asindicated by the arrow 622. Any number of fields may have beendesignated in this manner, and the data for each such field would bestored in a respective file within the file system directory in thismanner.

In the present embodiment, each UDT is assigned a different column-leveldirectory within the computer file system. The naming convention for afile that contains the data of a Filestream field of an instance of agiven UDT is[row_guid][fragment_ID]. In the example shown, theserialized data of an instance of the Person UDT is stored in a row ofthe table that is assigned a row_guid of “AABB”. Fragment 612 isassigned a fragment ID of “xx,” and fragment 614 is assigned a fragmentID of “yy.” Accordingly, the filename for the file referenced byfragment 612 is “AABB.xx,” whereas the filename for the file referencedby fragment 614 is “AABB.yy.”

It is important to note that even though the data for the correspondingFilestream fields of the instance of the UDT are stored as files outsideof the database store, they are subject to the operations of thedatabase engine as if stored within the database table. For example, asembodied in the SQL SERVER database engine, the T-SQL commands INSERTand UPDATE can be used to insert new data or update existing data into afile that stores the data of a Filestream field of an instance of a UDT,just as if the data field were stored within the database table.Similarly, the T-SQL DELETE command can be used to delete a rowcontaining a UDT that has one or more Filestream fields stored inseparate files; deleting the row deletes the referenced files as well.Filestream fields within a UDT that are stored in separate files canalso be queried like any other column.

As also illustrated in FIG. 7, the method of the present inventiondescribed above can also co-exist with the traditional FILESTREAM columntype provided in SQL SERVER. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a column606 of the table can be defined as type “FILESTREAM”. (FS). When acolumn is defined as type “FILESTREAM,” the data in a given cell of thatcolumn is stored in a separate file in a column-level directoryassociated with that column of the table. It will be appreciated thatthe present invention improves upon this capability by providing theability to store the data of an individual field of a UDT object in aseparate file outside of the database store.

The data of a Filestream field of a UDT object that has been stored in aseparate file in accordance with the present invention can be retrievedin two ways. First, as mentioned above, the data can be accessed using atraditional T-SQL query. For example, assume that the table in which aninstance of the Person type (as defined in FIG. 6) is stored is named“Person_sql,” and that the column 602 that contains the serialized dataof the instance of the Person UDT is named “Person_col.” The followingquery will return the data of the field named PhotoFS of the instance,which will have been stored as a separate file in accordance with thepresent invention:

SELECT Person_col.PhotoFS FROM Person_SQL WHERE FirstName=“Steve” Whenthe database engine receives such a query, it obtains the file systempath name to the file in which the PhotoFS field of the instance of thePerson type is stored. The path name is obtained from the correspondingfragment of the Person UDT object that satisfies the query. Of course,multiple objects of the Person UDT may satisfy such a query. For eachobject that satisfies the query, the database engine will then make anappropriate call to an application programming interface of the filesystem (e.g., CreateFile in the Win32 API) using the obtained path nameof the file containing the data of the PhotoFS field. The databaseengine will then read the file, return the data to the application, andthen close the file.

According to another aspect of the invention, applications are also ableto access such files directly via the file system of the computer.Specifically, an application can generate a call, via the applicationprogramming interface to the file system, to open such a file directly.The call will identify the corresponding Filestream field of the objectby its identity within the database store. Based on the identity of thefield of the object within the database store, a file system path to thefile containing the data of that field is determined. The call to openthe file is then executed using the determined path.

An embodiment of this aspect of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 8. In this example, this aspect of the present invention isimplemented in the context of the WinFS storage platform described abovein the Background section. Such a capability is particularlyadvantageous in the WinFS platform. It is understood, however, that thisaspect of the present invention can be implemented in any environment inwhich direct access to a file containing the data of a field of aninstance of a user defined type is needed.

Referring to FIG. 8, in accordance with the present invention, a clientapplication 800 may desire direct access to a file containing the dataof a Filestream field of an instance of a user defined type, which fieldhas been stored in a file within the file system 804 of a computersystem on which the WinFS storage platform 808 is implemented. Asdescribed above, the WinFS storage platform is implemented on a databaseengine 810, such as the SQL SERVER database engine.

According to this further aspect of the present invention, a clientapplication that could otherwise access the fields of a WinFS Item thathas been persisted as a UDT object in the database store (not shown)using the WinFS APIs, instead may request access, via the applicationprogramming interface 802 of the file system 804, directly to aFilestream field of the Item (i.e., UDT) that has been stored separatelyin the file system 804. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, theclient application initiates this process in step (1) by calling theCreateFile interface of the Win32 API, passing a path name to the Win32API that identifies the requested data based on the identity of thecorresponding field in the instance of the persisted Item (UDT). Forexample, in accordance with WinFS naming conventions, a path nameidentifying a field of an Item in the database store (including one thatmay have been stored separately in a file within the file system inaccordance with the method described above) may have the following form:

-   -   \\?\UNC\machinename\sharename\Item_IdValue\[typename].field    -   name.(locator)[typename].fieldname        It is understood, however, that this format is merely exemplary        and that the actual delimiters and format may be different in        other embodiments, without deviating from the scope of the        present invention.

With reference to the exemplary format above, the first part of the pathname format begins with:

-   -   \\?\unc\machinename\defaultstore\ . . .        where machinename is the name of the machine on which the WinFS        platform is running, and defaultstore is the share name        associated with the root of the database in which instances of        Items are stored. Since WinFS supports multiple database stores,        defaultstore will be replaced with the share associated with a        particular database or with the share associated with a portion        of the database. The . . . \\?\unc\ . . . portion of the path is        used to allow the length of the string holding the path to be up        to 32 KB, rather than limited to the 256 byte (or so) limit that        a normal path name is subject to. The path name has to be        Unicode to work in this format. This portion of the path name        thus provides direction to a certain database/share on a        specific machine.

The next portion of the path name ( . . . \Item_IdValue . . . )identifies the type of the object as an “Item,” followed by the Item_IDvalue(s) of the object(s) involved. Note that the present invention canbe applied to Item Extensions and Relationships in WinFS as well, asItem Extensions and Relationships are also mapped to UDTs in a WinFSdatabase store. In the case of an Item Extension, this portion of thepath name would be replaced with ( . . . \Extension_IdValue . . . ). Inthe case of a Relationship, this portion of the path name would bereplaced with ( . . . \Relationship_IdValue . . . ).

The last portion of the path name,

-   -   . . . \[typename].fieldname.(locator)[typename].fieldname,        identifies the particular field of the Item, Item Extension, or        Relationship UDT that is the subject of the call. It contains        repeated typename-fieldname-locator triples. The typename is        enclosed in square brackets [ ], and the locator, if present is        enclosed in parentheses. The typename is the name of the type of        the field or the name of the type of the object root. The        fieldname is the name of the field. And, if the field has        multiple instances, as with an array or collection, the locator        indicates which item within the field. If the UDT consists of        nested levels of objects, additional typename-fieldname-locator        triples will be present to specify the fields within fields,        eventually stopping at a field that has the IsFilestream=true        property.

Continuing the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, a path name to the PhotoFSfield of an instance of the Person UDT may be specified as follows:

-   -   \\?\UNC\localhost\defaultstore\ItemID\Person.PhotoFS.        where ItemID is the globally unique identifier (guid) assigned        to the particular instance of the Person type.

Because the WinFS path name for a Filestream field of an Item that hasbeen persisted as a separate file outside of the database store can notbe resolved properly by the computer file system, in accordance with thepresent invention, it is translated to the equivalent file system pathname. In the present embodiment, this process is initiated by a softwarecomponent called “FS Agent.” Of course, in other embodiments, othersoftware components may be employed to perform this function. Asillustrated at step (2), when the File System API 802 receives aCreateFile command from the client application that includes the WinFSpath name, it recognizes it as such from the “machinename/defaultstore”portion of the WinFS path name. All file requests received with thatpath name are forwarded to the FS Agent.

At step (3), the FS Agent issues an “OPEN” call to the WinFS API 808,passing the WinFS path name of the Item field. At step (4), the WinFSplatform identifies the Item and field from the WinFS path name and thenpasses this information to the database engine in a GetPathName( )request. GetPathName( ) is a database engine function that returns theWin32 file system pathname for a Filestream field of a UDT object thathas been stored separately from the database store in the mannerdescribed above. The WinFS platform also enforces any securityconstraints on access to the fields of the Item.

At step (5), the database engine responds to the GetPathName( ) requestby performing a table look-up in the table in which the UDT object thatis the subject of the request is stored. The database engine positionsto the correct row of the table and then to the serialized fragments ofthe UDT object within that row. For the Filestream field in question,the database engine extracts from its corresponding fragment the realfile system path to the file in which the data for that field is stored.The database engine sends the real path back to the WinFS API 808. Atstep (6), WinFS passes the file system path back to the FS Agent 806,and at step (7), the FS Agent calls the File System API 802 to open thefile, passing the real file system path in the request. At step (8), theFile System API 802 obtains a handle to the file and passes it back tothe client (step (9)) as it normally would when a CreateFile call ismade to the File System API 802.

At this point, the client application 800 can read and write to the filevia normal File System API calls (e.g., Win32 API File I/O calls). Whenthe client application 800 is finished with the file, it issues a CLOSEcall to the File System API. This call is again intercepted by the FSAgent 806. FS Agent 806 issues a “CLOSE” call to the WinFS API 808 torequest that the file be closed. The WinFS platform 808 models thisoperation as an update to the persisted Item, performing any associatedchange tracking and other functions associated with the update. Thedatabase engine then does its own update processing on the persisted UDTobject. Once this processing is complete, control returns to the FSAgent 806, which calls the File System API 802 to perform its normalfile close operation on behalf of the client application 800.

Thus, through the method described above, a client application isprovided with “out of band” access to a Filestream field of a persistedUDT, which field has been stored as a separate file within the filesystem of the computer on which the database management system isimplemented.

As is apparent from the above, all or portions of the various systems,methods, and aspects of the present invention may be embodied inhardware, software, or a combination of both. When embodied in software,the methods and apparatus of the present invention, or certain aspectsor portions thereof, may be embodied in the form of program code (i.e.,instructions). This program code may be stored on a computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic, electrical, or optical storage medium,including without limitation a floppy diskette, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM,DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, flash memory, hard disk drive, or any othermachine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code isloaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer or server, themachine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. A computer onwhich the program code executes will generally include a processor, astorage medium readable by the processor (including volatile andnon-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device,and at least one output device. The program code may be implemented in ahigh level procedural or object oriented programming language.Alternatively, the program code can be implemented in an assembly ormachine language. In any case, the language may be a compiled orinterpreted language.

The present invention may also be embodied in the form of program codethat is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as overelectrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, over a network,including a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet or anintranet, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when theprogram code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, suchas a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing theinvention.

When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code maycombine with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operatesanalogously to specific logic circuits.

Moreover, the invention can be implemented in connection with anycomputer or other client or server device, which can be deployed as partof a computer network, or in a distributed computing environment. Inthis regard, the present invention pertains to any computer system orenvironment having any number of memory or storage units, and any numberof applications and processes occurring across any number of storageunits or volumes, which may be used in connection with processes forpersisting objects in a database store in accordance with the presentinvention. The present invention may apply to an environment with servercomputers and client computers deployed in a network environment ordistributed computing environment, having remote or local storage. Thepresent invention may also be applied to standalone computing devices,having programming language functionality, interpretation and executioncapabilities for generating, receiving and transmitting information inconnection with remote or local services.

Distributed computing facilitates sharing of computer resources andservices by exchange between computing devices and systems. Theseresources and services include, but are not limited to, the exchange ofinformation, cache storage, and disk storage for files. Distributedcomputing takes advantage of network connectivity, allowing clients toleverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. Inthis regard, a variety of devices may have applications, objects orresources that may implicate processing performed in connection with theobject persistence methods of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked ordistributed computing environment. The distributed computing environmentcomprises computing objects 10 a, 10 b, etc. and computing objects ordevices 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, etc. These objects may comprise programs,methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc. The objects may compriseportions of the same or different devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3players, personal computers, etc. Each object can communicate withanother object by way of the communications network 14. This network mayitself comprise other computing objects and computing devices thatprovide services to the system of FIG. 9, and may itself representmultiple interconnected networks. In accordance with an aspect of theinvention, each object 10 a, 10 b, etc. or 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, etc. maycontain an application that might make use of an API, or other object,software, firmware and/or hardware, to request use of the processes usedto implement the object persistence methods of the present invention.

It can also be appreciated that an object, such as 110 c, may be hostedon another computing device 10 a, 10 b, etc. or 110 a, 110 b, etc. Thus,although the physical environment depicted may show the connecteddevices as computers, such illustration is merely exemplary and thephysical environment may alternatively be depicted or describedcomprising various digital devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COM objects and thelike.

There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurationsthat support distributed computing environments. For example, computingsystems may be connected together by wired or wireless systems, by localnetworks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many of the networksare coupled to the Internet, which provides the infrastructure forwidely distributed computing and encompasses many different networks.Any of the infrastructures may be used for exemplary communications madeincident to the present invention.

The Internet commonly refers to the collection of networks and gatewaysthat utilize the TCP/IP suite of protocols, which are well-known in theart of computer networking. TCP/IP is an acronym for “TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol.” The Internet can be described as asystem of geographically distributed remote computer networksinterconnected by computers executing networking protocols that allowusers to interact and share information over the network(s). Because ofsuch wide-spread information sharing, remote networks such as theInternet have thus far generally evolved into an open system for whichdevelopers can design software applications for performing specializedoperations or services, essentially without restriction.

Thus, the network infrastructure enables a host of network topologiessuch as client/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The“client” is a member of a class or group that uses the services ofanother class or group to which it is not related. Thus, in computing, aclient is a process, i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, thatrequests a service provided by another program. The client processutilizes the requested service without having to “know” any workingdetails about the other program or the service itself. In aclient/server architecture, particularly a networked system, a client isusually a computer that accesses shared network resources provided byanother computer, e.g., a server. In the example of FIG. 9, computers110 a, 110 b, etc. can be thought of as clients and computer 10 a, 10 b,etc. can be thought of as servers, although any computer could beconsidered a client, a server, or both, depending on the circumstances.Any of these computing devices may be processing data in a manner thatimplicates the object persistence techniques of the invention.

A server is typically a remote computer system accessible over a remoteor local network, such as the Internet. The client process may be activein a first computer system, and the server process may be active in asecond computer system, communicating with one another over acommunications medium, thus providing distributed functionality andallowing multiple clients to take advantage of the information-gatheringcapabilities of the server. Any software objects utilized pursuant tothe persistence mechanism of the invention may be distributed acrossmultiple computing devices.

Client(s) and server(s) may communicate with one another utilizing thefunctionality provided by a protocol layer. For example, HyperTextTransfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used inconjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW), or “the Web.” Typically, acomputer network address such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address orother reference such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) can be usedto identify the server or client computers to each other. The networkaddress can be referred to as a URL address. Communication can beprovided over any available communications medium.

Thus, FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary networked or distributedenvironment, with a server in communication with client computers via anetwork/bus, in which the present invention may be employed. Thenetwork/bus 14 may be a LAN, WAN, intranet, the Internet, or some othernetwork medium, with a number of client or remote computing devices 110a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 e, etc., such as a portable computer,handheld computer, thin client, networked appliance, or other device,such as a VCR, TV, oven, light, heater and the like in accordance withthe present invention. It is thus contemplated that the presentinvention may apply to any computing device in connection with which itis desirable to maintain a persisted object.

In a network environment in which the communications network/bus 14 isthe Internet, for example, the servers 10 a, 10 b, etc. can be serverswith which the clients 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 e, etc.communicate via any of a number of known protocols such as HTTP. Servers10 a, 10 b, etc. may also serve as clients 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d,110 e, etc., as may be characteristic of a distributed computingenvironment.

Communications may be wired or wireless, where appropriate. Clientdevices 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 e, etc. may or may notcommunicate via communications network/bus 14, and may have independentcommunications associated therewith. For example, in the case of a TV orVCR, there may or may not be a networked aspect to the control thereof.Each client computer 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 e, etc. and servercomputer 10 a, 10 b, etc. may be equipped with various applicationprogram modules or objects 135 and with connections or access to varioustypes of storage elements or objects, across which files or data streamsmay be stored or to which portion(s) of files or data streams may bedownloaded, transmitted or migrated. Any computer 10 a, 10 b, 110 a, 110b, etc. may be responsible for the maintenance and updating of adatabase, memory, or other storage element 20 for storing data processedaccording to the invention. Thus, the present invention can be utilizedin a computer network environment having client computers 110 a, 110 b,etc. that can access and interact with a computer network/bus 14 andserver computers 10 a, 10 b, etc. that may interact with clientcomputers 110 a, 110 b, etc. and other like devices, and databases 20.

FIG. 10 and the following discussion are intended to provide a briefgeneral description of a suitable computing device in connection withwhich the invention may be implemented. For example, any of the clientand server computers or devices illustrated in FIG. 9 may take thisform. It should be understood, however, that handheld, portable andother computing devices and computing objects of all kinds arecontemplated for use in connection with the present invention, i.e.,anywhere from which data may be generated, processed, received and/ortransmitted in a computing environment. While a general purpose computeris described below, this is but one example, and the present inventionmay be implemented with a thin client having network/businteroperability and interaction. Thus, the present invention may beimplemented in an environment of networked hosted services in which verylittle or minimal client resources are implicated, e.g., a networkedenvironment in which the client device serves merely as an interface tothe network/bus, such as an object placed in an appliance. In essence,anywhere that data may be stored or from which data may be retrieved ortransmitted to another computer is a desirable, or suitable, environmentfor operation of the object persistence methods of the invention.

Although not required, the invention can be implemented via an operatingsystem, for use by a developer of services for a device or object,and/or included within application or server software that operates inaccordance with the invention. Software may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,being executed by one or more computers, such as client workstations,servers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically,the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributedas desired in various embodiments. Moreover, the invention may bepracticed with other computer system configurations and protocols. Otherwell known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations thatmay be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limitedto, personal computers (PCs), automated teller machines, servercomputers, hand-held or laptop devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, networkPCs, appliances, lights, environmental control elements, minicomputers,mainframe computers and the like.

FIG. 10 thus illustrates an example of a suitable computing systemenvironment 100 in which the invention may be implemented, although asmade clear above, the computing system environment 100 is only oneexample of a suitable computing environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theinvention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpretedas having any dependency or requirement relating to any one orcombination of components illustrated in the exemplary operatingenvironment 100.

With reference to FIG. 10, an exemplary system for implementing theinvention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 110. Components of computer 110 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus121 that couples various system components including the system memoryto the processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of severaltypes of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of busarchitectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architecturesinclude Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro ChannelArchitecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video ElectronicsStandards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus (also known as Mezzanine bus).

Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media include both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by computer 110. Communication media typicallyembody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and include any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 10 illustrates operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 8 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152,and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 156, such as a CD-RW, DVD-RW or other opticalmedia. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computerstorage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environmentinclude, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memorycards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM,solid state ROM and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typicallyconnected to the system bus 121 through a non-removable memory interfacesuch as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical diskdrive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removablememory interface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 10 provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 110. In FIG. 10, for example, hard disk drive 141 isillustrated as storing operating system 144, application programs 145,other program modules 146 and program data 147. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from operating system134, application programs 135, other program modules 136 and programdata 137. Operating system 144, application programs 145, other programmodules 146 and program data 147 are given different numbers here toillustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user mayenter commands and information into the computer 110 through inputdevices such as a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, such as a mouse,trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus121, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A graphicsinterface 182 may also be connected to the system bus 121. One or moregraphics processing units (GPUs) 184 may communicate with graphicsinterface 182. A monitor 191 or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a videointerface 190, which may in turn communicate with video memory 186. Inaddition to monitor 191, computers may also include other peripheraloutput devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may beconnected through an output peripheral interface 195.

The computer 110 may operate in a networked or distributed environmentusing logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as aremote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer,a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common networknode, and typically includes many or all of the elements described aboverelative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181has been illustrated in FIG. 10. The logical connections depicted inFIG. 10 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network(WAN) 173, but may also include other networks/buses. Such networkingenvironments are commonplace in homes, offices, enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connectedto the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes amodem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user inputinterface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 10 illustrates remoteapplication programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

As the foregoing illustrates, the present invention is directed to asystem and method for storing and retrieving a field of an instance of auser defined type that is persisted in a database store, outside of thedatabase store as a separate file within the file system of the computeron which the database store is implemented. The present invention isparticularly advantageous for storing large data types as fields of auser defined type within a database management system. It is understoodthat changes may be made to the embodiments described above withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts thereof. For example, whilean embodiment of the present invention has been described above as beingimplemented in Microsoft's SQL SERVER database management system, it isunderstood that the present invention may be embodied in any databasemanagement system that supports the creation of user defined types.Additionally, while certain aspects of the present invention have beendescribed as being embodied in the context of the WinFS storage platformdescribed above, it is understood that those aspects of the presentinvention are by no means limited to implementation in that environment.Rather, the methods and systems of the present invention can be embodiedin any system in which storage and retrieval of a field of an instanceof a user defined type is desirable. Accordingly, it is understood thatthe present invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications that are withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. In a computer system in which an object that is an instance of a userdefined type can be persisted in a database store, wherein a definitionof the user defined type comprises a plurality of fields, each of saidplurality of fields being assigned any one of a plurality of data typessupported by the database store, at least one of said plurality offields of the definition being designated as containing data that is tobe stored as a file outside of the database store separately from thedata of the other of said plurality of fields of the type definitionwhile maintaining the assigned data type of said at least one designatedfield, a method comprising: creating a unique dedicated directory withina file system of the computer system for storing files containing thedata of said at least one designated field of instances of the userdefined type; receiving requests to store objects that are differentinstances of the user defined type, and for each such request to storean object that is an instance of the user defined type: determining fromthe designation of said at least one field of the instance of the userdefined type that the data of that field is to be stored as a fileoutside of the database storing the data of said at least one designatedfield of the instance of the user defined type as a respective filewithin the created directory; and storing the data in each of the otherfields of said plurality of fields of the instance of the user definedtype within the database store.
 2. The method recited in claim 1,wherein a location of the created directory within the file system ofthe computer system is based at least in part upon a logical structureof the database store.
 3. The method recited in claim 2, wherein thelogical structure of the database store comprises one or more tables,and wherein the location of said created directory within the filesystem is associated with one of said one or more tables.
 4. The methodrecited in claim 2, wherein the logical structure of the database storecomprises one or more tables, each comprising one or more columns, andwherein the location of said created directory within the file system isassociated with one of said columns.
 5. In a computer system in which anobject that is an instance of a user defined type can be persisted in adatabase store, wherein a definition of the user defined type comprisesa plurality of fields, each of said plurality of fields being assignedany one of a plurality of data types supported by the database store, atleast one of said plurality of fields of the definition being designatedas containing data that is to be stored as a file outside of thedatabase store separately from the data of the other of said pluralityof fields of the type definition while maintaining the assigned datatype of said at least one designated field, a method comprising:receiving a request to store an object that is an instance of the userdefined type; determining from the designation of said at least onefield that the data of that field is to be stored as a file outside ofthe database store; storing the data in said at least one designatedfield of said plurality of fields of the instance of the user definedtype as a file outside of the database store; storing the data in eachof the other fields of said plurality of fields of the instance of theuser defined type within the database store; receiving a call from anapplication, via an application programming interface to a file systemof the computer system, to open the file in which the data of said atleast one field is stored outside the database store, wherein the callidentifies the field of the object by its identity within the databasestore; determining from the identity of the field of the object withinthe database store a path within the file system of the computer systemto the file containing the data of that field of the object; andexecuting the call to open the file using the determined path.
 6. Themethod recited in claim 5, further comprising providing a link betweenthe data of the fields of the object that are stored within the databasestore and the data of the field that is stored as a file outside of thedatabase store.
 7. The method recited in claim 5, wherein the data ofthe fields of the object that are stored within the database store arestored as fragments within a column of a table of the database, thecolumn having been designated as the user defined type.
 8. The methodrecited in claim 7, wherein a unique identifier associated with theobject is stored in another column of the table in a same row as thedata of the fields of the object.
 9. The method recited in claim 5wherein the file system of the computer system comprises a MicrosoftNTFS file system and wherein the application programming interface tothe file system comprises the Win32 application programming interface.10. The method recited in claim 5, wherein the type of the object isdefined as a class in managed code.
 11. The method recited in claim 5,further comprising: performing a database operation on the data of saidat least one designated field of the instance of the user-defined type,wherein the database operation is performed on the data of said at leastone designated field as if it were stored within the database store. 12.The method recited in claim 11, wherein the database operation maycomprise one of an INSERT, UPDATE or DELETE operation.
 13. A computerreadable storage medium having program code stored thereon for use in acomputer system in which an object that is an instance of a user definedtype can be persisted in a database store, wherein a definition of theuser defined type comprises a plurality of fields, each of saidplurality of fields being assigned any one of a plurality of data typessupported by the database store, at least one of said plurality offields of the definition being designated as containing data that is tobe stored as a file outside of the database store separately from thedata of the other of said plurality of fields of the type definitionwhile maintaining the assigned data type of said at least one designatedfield, said program code, when executed on a computer system, causingthe computer system to: create a unique dedicated directory within afile system of the computer system for storing files containing the dataof said at least one designated field of instances of the user definedtype; receive requests to store objects that are different instances ofthe user defined type, and for each such request to store an object thatis an instance of the user defined type: determine from the designationof said at least one field that the data of that field is to be storedas a file outside of the database store; store the data of said at leastone designated field of the instance of the user defined type as arespective file within the created directory; and store the data in eachof the other fields of said plurality of fields of the instance of theuser defined type within the database store.
 14. The computer-readablestorage medium recited in claim 13, wherein a location of the createddirectory within the file system of the computer system is based atleast in part upon a logical structure of the database store.
 15. Thecomputer-readable storage medium recited in claim 14, wherein thelogical structure of the database store comprises one or more tables,and wherein the location of said created directory within the filesystem is associated with one of said one or more tables.
 16. Thecomputer-readable storage medium recited in claim 14, wherein thelogical structure of the database store comprises one or more tables,each comprising one or more columns, and wherein the location of saidcreated directory within the file system is associated with one of saidcolumns.
 17. A computer readable storage medium having program codestored thereon for use in a computer system in which an object that isan instance of a user defined type can be persisted in a database store,wherein a definition of the user defined type comprises a plurality offields, each of said plurality of fields being assigned any one of aplurality of data types supported by the database store, at least one ofsaid plurality of fields of the definition being designated ascontaining data that is to be stored as a file outside of the databasestore separately from the data of the other of said plurality of fieldsof the type definition while maintaining the assigned data type of saidat least one designated field, said program code, when executed on acomputer system, causing the computer system to: receive a request tostore an object that is an instance of the user defined type; determinefrom the designation of said at least one field that the data of thatfield is to be stored as a file outside of the database store; store thedata in said at least one designated field of said plurality of fieldsof the instance of the user defined type as a file outside of thedatabase store; store the data in each of the other fields of saidplurality of fields of the instance of the user defined type within thedatabase store; receive a call from an application, via an applicationprogramming interface to a file system of the computer system, to openthe file in which the data of said at least one field is stored outsidethe database store, wherein the call identifies the field of the objectby its identity within the database store; determining from the identityof the field of the object within the database store a path within thefile system of the computer to the file containing the data of thatfield of the object; and executing the call to open the file using thedetermined path.
 18. The computer readable storage medium recited inclaim 17, wherein the program code further causes the computer system toprovide a link between the data of the fields of the object that arestored within the database store and the data of the field that isstored as a file outside of the database store.
 19. The computerreadable storage medium recited in claim 17, wherein the program codefurther causes the data of the fields of the object that are storedwithin the database store to be stored as fragments within a column of atable of the database, the column having been designated as the userdefined type.
 20. The computer readable storage medium recited in claim19, wherein the program code further causes the computer system to storea unique identifier associated with the object in another column of thetable in a same row as the data of the fields of the object.
 21. Thecomputer readable storage medium recited in claim 17 wherein the filesystem of the computer system comprises a Microsoft NTFS file system andwherein the application programming interface to the file systemcomprises the Win32 application programming interface.
 22. The computerreadable storage medium recited in claim 17, wherein the type of theobject is defined as a class in managed code.
 23. The computer readablestorage medium recited in claim 17, wherein the program code furthercauses the computer system to: perform a database operation on the dataof said at least one designated field of the instance of theuser-defined type, wherein the database operation is performed on thedata of said at least one designated field as if it were stored withinthe database store.
 24. The computer readable storage medium recited inclaim 23, wherein the database operation may comprise one of an INSERT,UPDATE or DELETE operation.